El Salvador President Nayib Bukele Meets with A16z to Discuss Bitcoin and AI

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele recently welcomed Ben Horowitz and Marc Andreessen, co-founders of the influential venture capital firm a16z, to Casa Presidencial for a high-stakes discussion on artificial intelligence and investments, including “freedom tech” like Bitcoin.

The meeting, confirmed by El Salvador’s National Bitcoin Office, signals the country’s determination to attract innovation and capital through forward-thinking policies and a fresh focus on education. With a zero percent tax rate for tech industries and new regulatory frameworks in place, El Salvador is rolling out the red carpet for entrepreneurs and investors.

The talks with Horowitz and Andreessen centered on a range of topics critical to the nation’s tech aspirations. Bukele and the a16z founders explored investment opportunities, with a particular emphasis on how El Salvador could leverage its emerging status to draw interest from the global tech community.

Artificial intelligence took center stage, as the leaders delved into the evolving landscape following advancements like those from DeepSeek AI. They weighed the merits of open-source versus proprietary AI models and discussed how falling technology costs could lower barriers to entry, opening doors for broader market participation. Education emerged as a cornerstone of the conversation, with Bukele emphasizing its role in equipping the next generation to drive technological progress in the region.

A Strategic Pivot to Tech Innovation

El Salvador’s push to become a tech haven isn’t just talk—it’s backed by concrete action. The government has introduced a zero percent tax rate for tech companies, a move designed to lure businesses seeking cost-effective environments to scale their operations. New legislation also provides a regulatory backbone for the AI sector, offering clarity and support for developers working on open-source models.

These policies build on the country’s broader economic strategy, which has already gained attention for its embrace of Bitcoin. The meeting with a16z underscores a deliberate pivot toward diversifying El Salvador’s appeal beyond cryptocurrency, positioning it as a destination for a wider array of freedom-focused technologies and innovation-driven enterprises.

While the a16z talks spotlighted AI and tech investment, El Salvador’s tech journey isn’t happening in isolation. Just last month, Bukele met with MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor to discuss Bitcoin, a conversation tied to the country’s ongoing adjustments to its cryptocurrency policies amid negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

Despite speculation, these changes haven’t significantly altered Bitcoin adoption rates. El Salvador continues to deepen its commitment to the digital asset, purchasing one Bitcoin daily and amassing a stash of over 6,000 BTC—valued at over $600 million. This dual focus on Bitcoin and broader tech innovation paints a picture of a nation intent on carving out a unique space in the global economy.

For Bukele, the vision is clear: El Salvador should be a magnet for innovators and risk-takers. By fostering an environment where tech companies can thrive without the burden of heavy taxation and where AI development is encouraged through thoughtful regulation, the country is laying the groundwork to compete regionally and globally.